UNHRC adopts Dhaka’s resolution

Staff Correspondent
7 December, 2017 12:00 AM

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday adopted a resolution submitted by Bangladesh at its special session focusing on the Rohingya situation.

The resolution was adopted by 33 votes in favour, said a handout issued by the foreign ministry in Dhaka.

Three countries — China, the Philippines and Burundi — voted against the resolution, while nine others, including India, Kenya and South Africa, refrained from casting vote.

The 47-member council, through the adopted resolution, requested the Myanmar government to cooperate fully with the fact-finding mission.

Bangladesh submitted the resolution of the Rohingya crisis on behalf of a core group comprising Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Maldives, Algeria, Senegal, Sudan and Nigeria was cosponsored by over 80 countries, including the OIC group.

The special session, called jointly by the Geneva-based Permanent Representatives of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, received an unprecedented level of cross-regional political support, especially from OIC states, EU states, the USA and Japan.

Speaking at the session, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Shahriar Alam urged the UNHRC to play its due role until a sustained solution to the Rohingya crisis is achieved.

He led the Bangladesh delegation to the 27th Special Session of the Human Rights Council about Rohingya situation.

“Bangladesh, out of good neighbourliness, tried to resolve this issue bilaterally for decades,” said the state minister.

Addressing the session, Pramila Patten, special representative of the UN secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict, noted that history would remember the hospitality and humanity that Bangladesh had shown to the Rohingya people.

Participating in the general debate, many delegations appreciated Bangladesh’s efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in providing safety and assistance to those who have fled violence in Rakhine of Myanmar.

They also encouraged the international community to continue to assist Bangladesh.

In his address, UNHCHR chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein underscored the possibility of the presence of the elements of “Genocide”.

He reiterated that the systematic attacks on the Rohingya community warranted the attention of the International Criminal Court.